“I met her briefly at the lawyer’s to tidy up some things to do with her leaving the farm. Bit of financial stuff that had to be done.”

Paula tried to look at Dan’s face but he was bending down to study the undercarriage of the pram.

“Should I have been there?” She watched the back of his head as he continued his inspection.

“No, just a few papers to sign. I feel obliged to make sure Rowena is taken care of.”

“Of course, I understand that, but shouldn’t I be involved?” Paula thought she had her head around their financial affairs and here was something she hadn’t expected.

“There was no need and you had plenty to do, judging by the number of bags you’ve piled into the back of the dual cab.” Dan stood up. “Are you sure there’s money left to pay for this pram?”

“Of course there is.” Paula was feeling a little irritated. “That’s providing you haven’t made some financial agreement with Rowena that I don’t know about.”

“You know all there is to know. We agreed to pay Rowena a small income from the farm, remember?”

“Yes, but that’s already been sorted. What else needed doing?”

Dan fidgeted with the top folding part of the pram. “I guess she’s being cautious. Getting married at her age must have its concerns.”

“Good heavens, she’s not following my father’s lead and drawing up a financial agreement, is she?” Paula could laugh about it now but it had been a shock to her and Dan when, on his first visit to the farm, her father had given them a drawn-up proposal regarding division of their assets, should they ever split. They’d never signed it.

“We were just tidying up loose ends.” Dan chuckled. “I’m sure Austin is smart enough to organise his own affairs.”

Paula grinned. Rowena’s soon-to-be husband, Austin, was an interesting man. He had a dry sense of humour and a very astute mind but at times she had found him rather abrupt, perhaps a little set in his ways. Paula couldn’t help but wonder how the marriage would work out.

“Time’s getting on,” Dan said. “We’d best go and pick out a cot, then head for home. I’ve got a few jobs to do tonight.”